MX23RW : Sunday, April 28 02:47:40| >> :600:128663:128663:
[monks data]
Blackpool
Championship | Gameweek 45
Apr 28, 2023 at 8pm UK
Bloomfield Road
Millwall logo

Blackpool
2 - 3
Millwall

Yates (36' pen.), Fiorini (67')
Fiorini (74'), Rogers (90+7')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Bradshaw (2', 59'), Flemming (75' pen.)
Flemming (24'), Cooper (26'), Saville (32'), Bradshaw (72')

Preview: Blackpool vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Championship clash between Blackpool and Millwall, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Blackpool will be aiming to keep their faint survival dreams alive on Friday night when they welcome playoff contenders Millwall to Bloomfield Road in the Championship.

The Seasiders earned three valuable points on the road last time out, while Millwall suffered defeat during their trip to relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic.


Match preview

Blackpool interim manager Stephen Dobbie on April 10, 2023© Reuters

Having not won a Championship away match since October, Blackpool fans travelled to St Andrew's on Saturday in hope more than expectation of a result which would keep their survival scrap alive, and their side finally delivered on the road.

A mix-up at the back between Birmingham City's Neil Etheridge and Kevin Long allowed Ian Poveda to score into an empty net with just 15 minutes of the contest to go - the Leeds United loanee could barely believe his luck.

Stephen Dobbie's men held on in the Second City to record only their fourth away win of a difficult campaign - one in which a relegation to League One still looks likely.

The Seasiders are 23rd in the second-tier standings, three points behind Huddersfield Town in 22nd - although Neil Warnock's Terriers have played a game fewer.

Blackpool know only back-to-back wins in their final two games will give them any slither of hope in maintaining their Championship status for another year, and a home tie with Millwall is not exactly a favourable fixture.

Millwall manager Gary Rowett on February 21, 2023© Reuters

Successive defeats over the past fortnight have seen Millwall relinquish their place in the playoffs heading into this weekend's round of fixtures, with their most recent loss being arguably the worst of the season.

Gary Rowett's Lions were turned over by Shaun Maloney's Latics last weekend at the DW Stadium, with goals from Will Keane and Thelo Aasgaard sandwiching George Saville's second of the term.

Having now won just one of their last seven, the London club are stuttering at the worst-possible time and could be set to narrowly miss out on a top-six finish for the fourth-straight season.

Millwall are seventh in the Championship table, level on points with sixth-placed Sunderland but possessing a worse goal difference than their North-East counterparts.

It is a Lancashire-based end to the campaign for Millwall as they face Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers in their final two - supporters will be hoping their side can experience an upturn in form when it truly matters.

Blackpool Championship form:

Millwall Championship form:


Team News

Blackpool's CJ Hamilton celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on January 7, 2023© Reuters

Blackpool are down to the bare bones in terms of squad depth, and Dobbie will be hoping Jordan Thorniley is fit to feature on Friday after being forced off at St Andrew's due to a groin issue.

Goalscorer Poveda also hobbled off with a recurrence of a hamstring injury - the 23-year-old is unlikely to play against Millwall in this one.

Keshi Anderson and Jerry Yates both missed the trip to Birmingham and it is unclear whether either will be available on Friday, although considering their importance to the hosts, they may be rushed back into action.

Millwall midfielder Callum Styles made his first start since January in the defeat at Wigan on Saturday, with his replacement in the 70th minute Duncan Watmore pushing for a start at Bloomfield Road.

Scott Malone continues to fill in at left-back as Murray Wallace remains sidelined due to a muscle knock - the Lions have failed to keep a clean sheet in back-to-back games since the 30-year-old's injury.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Gabriel, Nelson, Thorniley, Lyons; Fiorini, Patino, Bowler, Carey, Hamilton; Rogers

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Long; McNamara, Hutchinson, Cooper, Malone; Saville, Mitchell, Burke, Flemming, Watmore; Bradshaw


SM words green background

We say: Blackpool 0-1 Millwall

Blackpool recorded a much-needed win at Birmingham last time out but suffered more injury woes - their survival hopes are hanging by a thread despite winning two of their last three.

Millwall will be fired up after back-to-back defeats and should be able to earn three points that will take their fight for a top-six finish to the final day of the season.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:512404:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11064:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Blackpool vs Millwall

Blackpool
22.5%
Draw
21.3%
Millwall
56.3%
80
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Burnley's Ian Maatsen celebrates promotion to the Premier League with teammates on April 7, 2023
Read Next:
Championship permutations: Burnley gunning for title, two teams facing relegation
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth462813578413797
2Derby CountyDerby462881078374192
3Bolton WanderersBolton462512986513587
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough462591289612884
5Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4622111379562377
6Barnsley4621131282641876
7Lincoln CityLincoln4620141265402574
8Blackpool4621101565481773
9Stevenage4619141357461171
10Wycombe WanderersWycombe461714156055565
11Leyton Orient461811175355-265
12Wigan AthleticWigan462010166356762
13Exeter CityExeter461710194661-1561
14Northampton TownNorthampton46179205766-960
15Bristol Rovers46169215268-1657
16Charlton AthleticCharlton461120156465-153
17Reading461611196870-253
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge461212223961-2248
19Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury46139243567-3248
20Burton Albion461210243967-2846
21Cheltenham TownCheltenham46128264165-2444
RFleetwood TownFleetwood461013234972-2343
RPort Vale461011254174-3341
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4679304181-4030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!